Spring testing apparatus and method
A force measuring apparatus and method for testing a spring for a surgical cartridge. The apparatus and method permit an operator to measure the force applied by the spring when it is in the state it will be in when mounted in a cartridge. Therefore, a spring that exerts an insufficient force is rejected, and a spring that exerts a sufficient force is accepted and then mounted in a cartridge. A rejected spring is ejected from a pocket in the apparatus, and an accepted spring is mounted in the cartridge.
1. An apparatus for testing a spring's suitability for use in a surgical staple cartridge, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a cartridge-receiving plate having a channel configured to receive a cartridge;
(b) a track formed adjacent the cartridge-receiving plate and configured to receive a spring;
(c) a pocket disposed at the end of the track adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the pocket being configured to receive the spring;
(d) a force measurement means at the pocket for contacting the spring in the pocket and measuring a force the spring applies in a compressed state; and
(e) a plunger aligned with the pocket for forcing the spring toward the channel.
2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a rejection tube and a first prime mover for displacing the rejection tube relative to the pocket, the rejection tube having a receiving end mounted adjacent the pocket.
3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising a spring push bar drivingly linked to a second prime mover and mounted in the track for pushing the spring in the track to the pocket.
4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 , further comprising a tongue extending substantially the spring's length from a tip of the spring push bar.
5. An apparatus for testing a spring's suitability for use in a surgical staple cartridge, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a cartridge-receiving plate having a channel configured to receive a cartridge;
(b) a tapered track formed above the cartridge-receiving plate configured to receive a spring;
(c) a pocket at the end of the track disposed above the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the pocket being configured to receive the spring;
(d) a load cell mounted with a sensing finger at the pocket for contacting a first leg of the spring in the pocket and measuring a force the spring applies in a compressed state;
(e) a plunger aligned with the pocket for forcing the spring downwardly toward the channel;
(f) a rejection tube and a first prime mover, the rejection tube having a receiving end mounted beneath the pocket;
(g) a spring push bar drivingly linked to a second prime mover; and
(h) a tongue extending substantially the spring's length from a tip of the spring push bar.
6. A method of testing a spring's suitability for use in a surgical staple cartridge, the method comprising:
(a) disposing a cartridge in a channel of a cartridge-receiving plate;
(b) disposing a spring in a track formed adjacent the cartridge-receiving plate;
(c) displacing the spring through the track to a pocket at the end of the track and disposed adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate;
(d) measuring a force the spring applies at the pocket to a force-measurement means; and
(e) forcing the spring toward the channel with a plunger aligned with the pocket.
7. The method in accordance with claim 6 , further comprising displacing a receiving end of a rejection tube toward the pocket for receiving the spring.
8. The method in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the step of displacing the spring further comprises compressing the spring to a compressed state.
9. A method of testing a spring's suitability for use in a surgical staple cartridge, the method comprising:
(a) disposing a cartridge in a channel of a cartridge-receiving plate;
(b) disposing a spring in a track formed above the cartridge-receiving plate;
(c) displacing the spring through the track to a pocket at the end of the track and disposed above the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, thereby compressing the spring to a compressed state;
(d) measuring a force the spring applies at the pocket to a force-measurement means;
(e) forcing the spring downwardly toward the channel with a plunger aligned with the pocket; and
(f) displacing a receiving end of a rejection tube toward the pocket for receiving the spring.